April is National Poetry Month.

Since my last post, I’m taking time daily to read poetry, enjoy it, savor it, relish it. Let it “slow cook” in my heart, mind and soul.

I know…poetry is not for everyone. But I’m really loving it again. I’ve kept the first book I shared in my earlier post, on my desk: she walks in beauty, A Woman’s Journey Through Poems, selected and introduced by Caroline Kennedy. I’m reading poems from it daily and enjoying the experience.

I continue to ask the questions: How can I get back into reading poetry on more of a regular basis? How can I be sure to make time for the true enjoyment of poetry? The journey back to re-discovering my love of poetry continues…

In celebration of my return to discovering a love of poetry, I’m sharing this great movement today: National Poem In Your Pocket Day, Thursday, April 14, 2011

Here’s how it’s described : The idea is simple: select a poem you love during National Poetry Month then carry it with you to share with co-workers, family, and friends. Poems from pockets will be unfolded throughout the day with events in parks, libraries, schools, workplaces, and bookstores. Create your own Poem In Your Pocket Day event using ideas below or let us know how your plans, projects, and suggestions for Poem In Your Pocket Day by emailing npm@poets.org.

I think this is an amazingly fun, idea!

So…today I’m going to share a Poem In My Pocket with these great kids.

They are students in my sisters 7th grade Math and Science Class.

Not sure  just which Poem I’m going to unfold from my pocket. I’ll let you know how it goes, in an upcoming post.

But I do have one, in my pocket, to share with all of you today.

The Journey by Mary Oliver

The Journey

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice–
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations–
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice,
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do–
determined to save
the only life that you could save.

© Mary Oliver. she walks in beauty, A Woman’s Journey Through Poems,by Caroline Kennedy

My hope for my poetry journey, is to continue to share this series, ”What are you reading today? Poetry that inspires…”, all year and invite some of my friends to guest post their favorite poems here as well. (The beauty of Poetry is far too powerful, to let what it brings to our work as educators stop at the end of April.)

Are you inspired by poetry? I recommend you consider starting today by sharing a Poem in your Pocket!